NASHVILLE — The state of the Tennessee Titans seems fairly simple at the moment. The team is underachieving, aging, and quickly falling out of playoff contention. But over the last two games, Titans fans have been clinging to one silver lining.

Rookie quarterback Will Levis has impressed in the first two games of his NFL career, throwing for over 500 yards and four touchdowns. Through eight quarters of football, Levis has vindicated his supporters and converted many of his skeptics.

So regardless of what the Titans’ record is or how things are looking in 2023, there is hope and buzz in Nashville because of Levis' early success. The fanbase is still living and dying with every snap solely to watch who looks to be the future face of the franchise.

But Titans head coach Mike Vrabel is beginning to test the patience of fans with his comments about Levis and affinity for Ryan Tannehill.

Even after watching Levis shine against the Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers, Vrabel was unwilling to name a starting quarterback in his follow up press conference. “No, I'm not ready to do that yet. I think we'll have a conversation with the depth chart over the weekend," said Vrabel, leaving the door open for Tannnehill to potentially retain the starting job when he returns from his high ankle sprain.

"I think with any position, you look for who gives you the best opportunity to win, where you're at, and what's best for the football team," said Vrabel when asked what will go into his decision at quarterback. "So, we'll have those conversations over the weekend. We'll see where Ryan's (Tannehill) health is."

---

Is going back to Tannehill a realistic possibility? Who really knows at this point. Ever since Tannehill went down, Vrabel has consistently leaned into obscure answers about his quarterbacks with hopes of gaining a competitive advantage over. At first it was “when Ryan returns, he’s our quarterback.” Then it was “both Willis and Levis are going to play in the game.” Now it’s a whole lot of “I’m not ready to make that determination” with a laundry list of criticisms about Levis’ play.

Vrabel was far less enthusiastic than most fans and media members about Levis’ performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football. Most people saw a rookie quarterback give his team a chance to win behind an abysmal offensive line in one of the most hostile road environments in the league. Vrabel’s biggest takeaways were the questionable decisions Levis made and needing to "throw a better ball” after Tyjae Spears fell down while back peddling his route.

Regarding the missed TD pass to Tyjae Spears at the end of the half where Spears fell down.

Mike Vrabel says Will Levis needs to throw a better ball. #Titans pic.twitter.com/85yu4eHIgm

— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) November 3, 2023

I get it. Being critical can help keep a successful rookie grounded. You can't get too high or too low in the National Football League and Levis has the make up of a guy who can handle a little tough love. I also understand how being overly critical and cagey while leaving the door open for going back to Tannehill could mask what the game plan is at quarterback. But that only works if there’s an actual debate or controversy.

Vrabel said himself that you look at who gives you the best opportunity to win and  what's best for the football team. There should be no conversation about who that is right now, and there should be no debate about the starting quarterback in Tennessee. It’s Will Levi’s time. It’s clear as day.

Not only is Levis the superior player right now and a better fit for the Titans’ offense, he was the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft that your first-year GM traded up to get. The Titans have a lot of eggs in the Will Levis basket, and heading into the offseason, you need to know that you have your guy. Oh…and it also would be beneficial for Levis to actually play football instead of being inactive like he was for the first two months of the season.

It’s Levis’ team now. It’s nothing against Tannehill. It’s just how the business works. The Titans are going through a lot of transition as an organization right now, and switching the quarterback is just one of the dominoes that needs to fall. It’s time for Mike Vrabel to say as much. The coachspeak is getting old.

At this point in time, I don’t have any reason to believe the Titans are going to start Ryan Tannehill when he returns. Vrabel definitely left the door open, but I think that’s more smoke and mirrors than it is reality. 

If he were to make that decision, Mike Vrabel’s approval rating in Nashville would officially hit an all-time low. I can’t imagine that’s a hill worth dying on for a stubborn, but talented head coach. 

The patience of the Titans' fanbase is starting to wear thin. Tennessee is 3-12 in their last 15 games, and if the product on the field is not a winning team, at least make it exciting to watch. Tuesday is a big day, and hopefully Vrabel rips the band-aid off and announced Levis as the team's QB1 moving forward.

Andre Dillard proving the Titans could do worse than Dennis Daley

The Titans’ Andre Dillard problem won’t go away.